The Best German Mulled Wine (Glühwein Recipe) (2025)

Table of Contents

Mulled Wine Recipe Mulling Spices Garnish Ideas How To Make In The Slow Cooker How To Make On The Stove Best Red Wine To Use Frequently Asked Questions Can You Use Ground Spices Can I Make A Booze-Free Version? How To Store Mulled Wine glühwein Mulled Wine Ingredients Instructions Notes Nutrition FAQs

This easy mulled wine recipe is made by warming red wine with various spices like cinnamon and cloves.

No holiday celebration or Christmas market is complete without a batch of mulled wine. Mulled wine, also called Glühwein in Germany or vin chaud in France, is a hot wine-based drink that conjures images of a cold winter night and holiday celebrations.

This easy winter drink recipe, made by warming red wine with various spices like cinnamon and cloves, along with a touch of sweetness from honey or sugar, is one of the original mulled wine recipes ever posted online. It was originally posted back in 2015!

I alternate this spiced wine recipe withCoquito, aka Puerto Rican Egg Nog, during the holiday season. Let the kids have the hot chocolate.

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Mulled Wine Recipe

Mulled wine recipes all vary, but the general ingredients remain the same. Here are the ingredients you need to make a batch of the best mulled wine recipe:

Red Wine –grab a bottle of wine you enjoy drinking.
Brandy– this is not the time to bust out your high end brand as you’ll only need 1 cup of brandy.
Whole Spices –must have spices are cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise.
Fresh Oranges –you’ll use the juice and the rind.
Honey or Maple Syrup– I prefer honey, but maple syrup works just as well.

Mulling Spices

Mulling spices are what sets mulled wine apart from “warm red wine”. Mulled Wine can be made with a variety of spices and fruits. It’s like the “winter version” ofred sangria. Who doesn’t like Christmas sangria? A traditional recipe includes a mix of the below warm spices:

Cinnamon Sticks
Orange Slices
Whole Cloves
Star Anise Pods
Cardamom Pods

Tip – use these spices to make a Christmas Simmering Pot or even a Hot Toddy.

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Garnish Ideas

The best mulled wine recipes are garnished with some fun and festive ingredients. My favorites are ingredients that are used in the recipe itself.

Cinnamon Sticks
Orange Peel
Apple Slices
Raisins
Fresh Cranberries
Star Anise Pods
Whole Cloves
Candy Cane

How To Make In The Slow Cooker

This simple mulled wine recipe is very easy to make in the slow cooker. When stovetop space is at a premium, being able to make slow cooker mulled wine is key. To make, throw all the ingredients into the slower cooker and set it on the lowest setting as you do not want the mix to boil. Let mellow for two hours before serving.

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How To Make On The Stove

To make German mulled wine on the stove top:

Add the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Do not let boil! Boiling it will burn off the booze.
Once almost simmering, reduce the heat to low for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Strain into mugs and garnish. Serve warm.

Best Red Wine To Use

The best wine to use is a dry red wine you enjoy drinking. Since this recipe calls for a full bottle of dry red wine you don’t want to go bottom shelf here. The spices won’t mask the taste of swill. My favorite varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. If you have a Costco membership I actually use the large bottle of Kirkland brand Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Ground Spices

You can, but it’s not ideal as it won’t be as smooth to drink.

Can I Make A Booze-Free Version?

Absolutely! For a booze-free version, check out thisNon Alcoholic Mulled Wine.

How To Store Mulled Wine

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat just transfer to a sauce pan and heat over medium-low heat until warm.

glühwein

What’s the difference between Glühwein and mulled wine? While Glühwein and mulled wine are similar, there are some differences.

Mulled Wine – Recipes for mulled wine can vary widely depending on the region and personal preference. Common ingredients include red wine, various mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and sometimes citrus fruits. Sweeteners like sugar or honey are often added.

Glühwein – The recipe for Glühwein is typically more standardized and includes red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar, and sometimes vanilla pods. The spice mix is quite specific and consistent in Glühwein.

Let the season roll off your tongue this holiday. From the first sip to the last, this warm drink will be the hit of your Christmas time holiday parties. Throwing a holiday party this year? Make sure to check out our huge list ofChristmas Party Themes.

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If you’re looking for holiday drink recipes, don’t miss our Lemon Drop Martini, Pomegranate Champagne Punch or Fruit Punch Martini. Both are festive in flavor and color.

Skol!

This recipe was originally posted in December 2015, but has been updated with new photos and additional text.

Mulled Wine

5 from 69 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 drinks

Calories: 292kcal

Cost: $15

Ingredients

1 bottle Dry Red Wine, 750 ML
1/3 cup Brandy
1/4 cup Honey
1 Orange ((Juice and Sliced))
8 Whole Cloves
2 Sticks Cinnamon
1 Pod Star Anise

Instructions

STOVE TOP

Combine the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Strain into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks, orange peels or the like!

SLOW COOKER

Combine the wine, brandy, honey, orange juice, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise in a slow cooker over high heat. Let simmer for at least 1 hour.
Strain into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks, orange peels or the like!

Notes

Add the spices to a cheesecloth and place in the saucepan if you prefer to omit the straining at the end of the cook time. The longer this simmers the more the flavors will evolve. Feel free to leave this simmering for up to 2 hours (supervised).

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @foodieandwine or tag #foodieandwine!

FAQs

What's the difference between mulled wine and Glühwein? ›

Mulled wine is hot spiced wine. Gluhwein is a German term for exactly the same. However, they might not necessarily taste the same way because there are so many different recipes, spice mixes and wines to choose from.

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What kind of wine is best for Glühwein? ›

Zinfandels, Merlots, Syrah/Shiraz, or Garnache tend to work best. Avoid red wines high in tannins or have an oaky flavor, and avoid light reds. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to have a full-bodied, fruity flavor, can work in a pinch, as can Malbec, which tends to have a bold, spicy flavor.

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What is the difference between Glögg and Glühwein? ›

Interestingly, unlike most other mulled wine varieties (including Gluhwein and Vin Chaud), glogg can traditionally be served hot and cold. So if you get a bottle of ready-made glogg, you don't necessarily need to warm it up.

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Should Glühwein be served warm or cold? ›

As we point out in the below directions, Glühwein is served hot and should be sipped slowly just as you would with a fresh cup of coffee. Of course, you do not have to splurge on crystal glassware to sip Gluhwein. A regular mug is a fine alternative.

What does Glühwein in German mean? ›

This mulled wine recipe is for the German Glühwein, which literally translates to glow-wine, because of how you feel after you've been drinking tiny mugs outside in December.

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When should I drink Glühwein? ›

It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is usually served at Christmas markets in Europe, primarily in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Nordics, Baltics and eastern France.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is Glühwein so cheap? ›

You see, “normal” Glühwein, especially the cheap one, is made from blends of leftovers of cheap wines. So the base was probably not that tasty. All the sugar makes it work, but it doesn't make the headache potential go away.

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Why is my Glühwein bitter? ›

You need to infuse the wine long enough with the spices to take on their flavour but DON'T ON ANY ACCOUNT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL as you'll be left with a bitter taste.

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How long does Glühwein last once opened? ›

As mentioned above, mulled wine can only last 3 to 5 days after opening it. You can tell if a mulled wine has gone bad by smelling it. It will have a distinct sour smell.

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How much alcohol is in Aldi Glühwein? ›

Specifications

Ingredients	Red Wine (Grapes, Antioxidant: 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞), Granulated Sugar, Flavourings, Acid: Citric Acid; Antioxidant: 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞.
Country of origin	Germany
ABV%	8
Legal name	Aromatised Wine-Based Drink
Manufacturer	Specially Produced for Aldi Stores Ltd., PO Box 26, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 2SH

7 more rows

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What do you eat with Glühwein? ›

While it's a nice drink to imbibe on its own, it's always more fun to think of pairings. Truthfully, mulled wine pairs well with everything from roast beef or sausage to cheese platters. Miller loves to take comforting, classic meat and potato dishes and throw in Filipino twists.

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What is the best way to heat Glühwein? ›

Simmer. Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer. (Avoid letting it bubble — you don't want to boil off the alcohol.) Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.

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What do Germans drink in winter? ›

The German name for mulled wine, Glühwein, translates to “glow wine,” and there's nothing better than this traditional drink to make you glow with warmth on a cold night.

Tell Me More ›

What is the difference between Glühwein and wine? ›

The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise. This German mulled wine also features citrus, vanilla, and sugar. It is most often made with red wine, although you can use white wine if you prefer.

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What is another name for mulled wine? ›

Mulled wine goes by many names—spiced wine, hot wine, glögg, glühwein, and vin chaud are a few I hear used interchangeably. As far as I know, they all essentially refer to the same drink, although the spices and booze of choice may vary depending on the region.

Keep Reading ›

Why is it called Glühwein? ›

Fun fact, Glühwein roughly translates to “glow-wine”. This is a term derived from the hot irons that was once used to mull the wine! It is most popular in German-speaking countries and in the Alsace region in France.